At
Hatley Castle, a healthy walk from my house, there is an old fernery.
The moss covered rockery paths and climbs are being re-discovered and restored. It is atmospheric in its dark, sunken grotto, with water gushing through heavy greenery. Right now a blood red rhodo is blooming amidst the wild setting. The Victorians were mad about their ferns, too.
It was a time when it was considered that studying the 'Natural Wonders of Creation' was an appropriate way of praising God. The study of flowers and other plants was considered to be fairly safe by the Church and coul
d be pursued by mixed groups including men and women, whereas the study of animals was frowned upon as it might lead to embarrassing situations and 'unsuitable parallels' being drawn between the activities of animals and people!peterboyd.com
Ferns are sexy. The unfurling, striving, reaching primevial furry fronds in the dark, secretive atmosphere of the fernery. Very primal. I think those Victorians new it and were glad the church didn't catch on to it.
At Hatley Castle, a healthy walk from my house, there is an old fernery. The moss covered rockery paths and climbs are being re-discovered and restored. It is atmospheric in its dark, sunken grotto, with water gushing through heavy greenery. Right now a blood red rhodo is blooming amidst the wild setting. The Victorians were mad about their ferns, too. 
2 comments:
Ferns are sexy--plants in general are sexy. Sex seems to be their number one preoccupation. And they are shameless about it. I blushed in botany.
The points in a plant's life cycle that interest me lately seem to be just as its leaves are budding/unfurling and when it becomes just past its "prime" or when it has gone to seed. The beauty of flowers and the full flush of foliage is undeniable, but appreciating the subtle and minute seems more poignant to me right now.
What a beautiful blog! Blog on you crazy blogger!
Dear Blushed in Botany,
Thank you so much for your comment.
Your more poignant view point of the minute and subtle and the past its prime stage of plants is one I share. Even now with the fresh pink alluring beauty of the apple blossoms framed in my camera I zoom in instead on a rotting leaf tangled in the bark and click!
I think next week's blog will feature contrasts in decay and fecundity.
Thanks, again.
-Flushed in the Fernery
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